Today's Feature

"Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas."

Stone’s Throw Theater is proud to present Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks, directed by Shawn DeGraff with help from Assistant Director Doug Dickey; Associate Director Alesha Gilleland-Lindeman; Junior Director Cavanaugh Greenwood: Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois. And a Native American Heritage Celebration With exhibits from The Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum in Burr Oak, Iowa, The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO, and Prairie State Park

Come celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with Stone’s Throw Theatre and our production of one of the classic Laura Ingalls Wilder family adventures in "A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas" on Dec 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2006. We are proud to also sponsor a Native American music, dancing, exhibits and education. There will also be many other Entertainers performing throughout the run of the show.

The play features the 1876 adventures of the Ingalls family, Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura and Carrie, as they brave the challenges of the early settlers in pioneer America. Reeling from the tragic death of Baby Freddie, the Ingalls family is forced to backtrack through additional adversity to work in a hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa. Laura and her family continue to struggle through the challenges while living in the hotel, all the while yearning for an imagined Western bucolic paradise, and experience the entire gamut of emotions that lead up to "A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas".

Reservations are required and may be made by calling Betty Bell at 417-358-7268 or by e-mailing reservations to bbell23@ecarthage.com It is strongly recommend that tickets be purchased immediately, particularly any group purchases, as ticket demand has already exceeded projections and sellouts are expected possibly for the entire run of the celebration. Come early to take in the celebration, bring your appetite and enjoy the show and its life lessons.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Theatre doors open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. For Sunday Matinee the doors open at 12:30 p.m. with dinner at 1:00 p.m. and the performance starting at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $20.00 for adults 17-54, $19.00 for seniors over 55. Youth under 16 are $17.00, and children under 5 are free. Groups of ten or more receive a dollar discount per person.

Stench Report:

Thursday,
11/30/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

The annual influx of tourists and locals tourin’ the various displays of lights and the historic district has begun.

I don’t know if that is part of the noticeable increase in traffic, or if I’m just becomin’ more impatient as the days grow shorter.

With vehicles turnin’ their lights on earlier I’m guessin’ I’m just noticin’ the number of folks travelin’ here and there as I try to make my way to the house in the evenin’s.

‘Course I’m talkin’ ‘bout that long five or ten minute commute I make ever’day. Prob’ly be quicker to walk, but ya never know when ya might need ta get outa town in a hurry. I suppose I will have ta take my Christmas attitude adjustment and learn to have a little more patience for the season. There’s still the shoppin’ to do.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

‘Tis the Season to be Jolly.....and anxious and angry and overly excited and/or tired and so on and so on. With December upon us, these days can be hard on the nerves. There are many nutrients which can be beneficial for the nerves including the following:

• B-vitamins are needed in every one of the billions of cells in our bodies. They help prevent fatigue, mental depression, nervousness, and an almost endless array of diseases associated with the nervous system. Eating on the run and many of the processed foods we have today can leave us deficient in these most important vitamins.

• An equally important mineral for the nervous system is magnesium. Some have called it the "calm" mineral. Some who suffer with constipation find it relieves that condition also. Magnesium is needed for a strong heart muscle.

• Some of the stress of getting behind may be eliminated by the use of Pantothenic Acid which is utilized by all cells. It is know to increase strength and endurance...some have even added it may help premature aging.

• My favorite is sit down and relax with a cup of hot tea. If you haven’t tried Kava it is something I enjoy or the standard cup of chamomile always hits the spot.

• To eliminate some stress, try a smile!!

artCentral
Art Notes from Hyde House
By Sally Armstrong, Director of artCentral

Last week’s article ran in Sunday’s paper due to the holiday on Thursday, so I am sorry if any of you attempted to visit the gallery on Sunday, as we were open on Saturday only. My intern Alyson is very good to be available most days that she is needed, but due to the holiday, both of us were out of town some of the weekend. The Barbara Courtney show remains on display through this weekend and the next, and will be removed December 15th.

We had expected to be open this Saturday December 2nd as one of the locations for the Victorian Carthage Christmas Home Tour, but I heard today that this tour has been cancelled. I am sorry, as we were looking forward to the tour group coming through. Maybe next year! In any case, we hope folks will come this weekend anyway and see the nice paintings of beautiful Ozark scenery, florals and Christmas still lifes. Additionally, our beautiful cookbooks would make wonderful Christmas presents for the cook or art lover that you might need "one more little gift" for! And the prints and hand crafted jewelry in the Holiday Shop are great ideas as well.

I understand some bad weather may be coming in before the weekend, but we will make every effort to be open, so come on by! Next week I will begin giving some information about our Workshops that are planned for early 2007.